by M. N. Forgy
My brows pinch together, and I try again.
Nothing.
I slap the steering wheel.
“Really?” Why is everything going wrong today?
I bet if I was a doctor, I would have a car that works though. I roll my eyes at my internal thoughts. I’m my worst enemy sometimes.
Snatching my purse, I grasp my phone and call Bobby.
* * *
“Hey, everything okay?” Bobby answers, the sound of music loud in the background, telling me he’s at the club.
“My Jeep won’t start.” I sigh heavily.
“You at the school?”
“Yeah.” I rub my forehead frustrated.
“On my way. Stay in the Jeep!” He uses his dad voice on me and I can’t help but tilt my head to the side and laugh.
“It’s a school parking lot, what can happen?” I ask myself more than him. It was just days ago a car ran into a patio trying to kill us. I lock my doors with that thought.
“Just trust me, and do what I say.” He hangs up leaving my mind reeling. If anyone knows the dark better, it’s probably him. He is an outlawed biker.
I toss my phone in the seat next to me. It's so quiet I can hear my heart beat and my breathing is not as quiet as I thought. A shadow slices across the Jeep window and I hold my breath. I’m scared to look in that direction but to sit here and pretend that nothing was there is dangerous. My eyes slowly move to the ominous black that flashed along my window seconds ago. There is nothing there but a coldness so void of life goosebumps race along the back of my neck.
A hand suddenly slaps against my door, and I scream, nearly jumping into the passenger seat to get away.
“You need a ride?” Thad, the principal, stands next to my window without a care in the world that he just about made me piss myself.
Hand on my chest, I take a breath trying to calm my racing heart.
“Jesus, Thad!” I scream angrily. He stands there, hands now in his pockets as he looks around my Jeep nosily. "No, I have someone coming," I yell through the glass window. I don't open the door or roll it down. The hairs on my neck telling me to be cautious.
Thad stands there, looking at me a second longer than necessary. His sandy hair blowing with the wind, and lightning flashing in his eyes. My hand now around my collarbone, I swallow down the dry lump forming in the back of my throat. The awkwardness growing by the second.
“My boyfriend is on the way!” I lie, feeling uncomfortable by his intrusive stare. His eyes flick to mine and he gives a knowing smile. He knows I’m full of shit. I’ve never mentioned a boyfriend before.
“Okay, see you tomorrow.” He turns, casually walking away while whistling and twirling keys in his left hand.
Grabbing the steering wheel, I lower my head and expel the breath I was holding.
“Jesus he’s creepy.”
Lifting my head, I notice I’m the only vehicle in the parking lot. I don’t see Thad’s vehicle anywhere in the parking lot though. Which is odd.
Minutes tick by and my eyes are glued to where Thad went inside the school, making sure he doesn’t sneak up on me again. The night playing tricks on me and making me hear and see things that aren’t there. The light roar of a motor can be heard, and I turn in my seat, I sink with relief. Bobby’s truck headlights speeding down the school road.
Unlocking the door, I slide out on shaky legs.
Bobby jumps out of the driver side, his leather boots stomping into the loose gravel, his eyes sweeping across the parking lot as if he’s looking for someone. His blue eyes hit mine and it’s as if a mask of something lighter sets into place. His shaggy blond hair blowing against his face.
I’m so relieved to see him.
The passenger door of the truck clicks open and a man with caramel colored skin and just enough hair to begin a small curl gets out of the truck. He looks familiar.
“Let’s see what we got, hmm?” Bobby mutters.
He kisses my cheek and leans into my car, the sound of the motor trying to turn as he attempts to start it. Nothing.
"It's done this before, but I can usually get it to start," I inform him. He bites his lip, looking at the gauges.
“Did you leave a light or radio on by mistake?”
“No.” Not that I can think of anyway.
“Hmm. Okay. Saint, try and jump it!” he yells to the truck parked in front of me.
Saint leans into the back of the truck, wrestling some wires before pulling jumper cables free.
Saint. That’s why I know him. I’ve seen him hang around Zane growing up, but never really talked to him.
Unlatching my hood, he hooks it up to Bobby’s truck, and we stand there waiting for it to transfer enough juice to my battery.
“Everything okay while you waited?” Bobby makes small talk. Lips tight I nod, not wanting to tell him how the principal gives me the creeps. How everything has me jumping lately. He’ll make me stay at the club.
Bobby rubs his hands together and leans inside my Jeep to turn the key. It sputters and kicks before finally starting.
“You did it!” I smile, but Bobby isn’t smiling.
“Let’s take it to the club, test the battery.” He looks at the Jeep with a curious eye.
I really just want to go home, but the Jeep has been acting up.
"Yeah sure," I reluctantly give in. Next time the Jeep does this, I may not be able to get ahold of someone.
"Saint," Bobby calls. Saint walks around the front of the Jeep and lifts his chin at Bobby. He's shorter than Zane, but his arms and chest are pretty built. He's a prospect too from the looks of his patch.
“Drive her Jeep back to the club.”
Saint nods and gets in. He doesn’t even ask any questions. It’s hard to believe that Zane would do the same being a prospect too.
"Come on." Bobby presses his hand on my back leading me back to his truck.
Upon climbing in the cab, it smells of leather and not from the seats. It’s from the leather vests they wear. I’ve come to love that smell. I can sniff it out anywhere.
"How is the school?" Bobby asks, pulling out of the parking lot.
"Good. Feels like I never left," I respond, looking out the window. Bobby goes on about how he can't believe I'm a teacher, and on and on how my mom has to be pregnant. But all I can think about is will Zane be at the club when we get there.
Ever since I saw him days ago, I can't get him off my mind. I'm curious what he's doing, how he's doing it, and who he is with. Will it be like old times with all of us brats outside gossiping and drinking? Still determined that there is nothing between us and we are casual friends even though we all look at each other with a closer eye.
“You okay?” Bobby’s voice cuts through my thoughts and my head snaps in his direction.
“Yeah, fine!” I answer a little too quickly, earning me an awkward eye. “Just a long day.” I wave it off to be no big deal.
Not wanting to talk about it, I lean forward and turn the radio on.
“Drops of Jupiter” by Train plays. My eyes widen, and my heart picks up its pace. My nostrils flaring as the lyrics morph into something more personal.
Zane sang this to me the day before everything went to shit.
* * *
Watching Piper skinny dip in the ocean, a huge wave swipes up and causes her to face plant right into the sand. I laugh, losing my breath and I catch a glimpse of Zane looking at me across the fire burning brightly between us. We keep locking eyes like this and it makes my heart stop every time. His green eyes hooded and determined lately. I don't know what it means, if anything.
Piper spits and wipes at her face, using the ocean to clean herself off. Delilah laughs and tosses more muddy sand at her.
Zane casually scoots up next to me and uses a stick to poke the fire. My teeth slide over my bottom lip and I nervously turn the radio up sitting next to us. "Drops of Jupiter" By Train sings to us.
Zane begins to sing the lyrics and I can’t help but stare
at him. He’s so quiet and angry all the time, to hear him actually sing is like watching the king of the jungle purr. He flicks his eyes at me and leans over, the smell of his sweat and cologne making me smile bigger. He’s so close and in my space my entire body feels warm.
“I absolutely love it when you smile,” he rasps into my ear, the warmth of his breath sticking to my skin. The deepness of his voice roots itself in my soul and I want nothing more than him to keep singing to me. The way he makes me feel as if nothing can break through the barrier of trust we have, it’s unlike anything I’ve ever felt.
* * *
Bobby turns into the club drive and I snap out of my memory. The song on the radio over. There are bikes everywhere, and a couple of trash cans on fire.
“There’s a party?” The pitch in my voice can’t be suppressed. Shouldn’t everyone be on lockdown with the threat from the Lost Wolves?
“Not really, just celebrating how much we auctioned the bike we built for autism. We brought in twenty thousand!” Bobby is proud.
I want to smile, I want to be happy for them but I can’t. I haven’t been to a club party since the drive-by.
“Shouldn’t you guys be on the lookout or something?” Great, now I sound like my mother.
Bobby scratches his chin, a perplexed look fixing his face. “About that. We haven’t said anything to the club about it. Don’t you say shit to anyone either. Not until we know this isn’t some bull shit.”
Swallowing hard I fight the unease creeping up my throat. I don’t like keeping important things from people. I’m terrible at it.
“Come on, let's look at your Jeep and you can get going.” He puts the truck in park and shuts down the engine.
* * *
Getting out of the truck my eyes sweep around the sea of bodies that are swarming in and out of the club. Women are wearing leather chaps and short shorts, some with leather vests, and leather boots. I almost forgot how confident female hang arounds can be. I pull my jean jacket a little more snug, I look like a virgin at a frat party with my work clothes on. Not that I dress much different not going to school.
Saint pulls into the driveway, my headlights bouncing all over everyone’s face as he pulls my Jeep into one of the garage bays. I stand close by, leaning against the metal frame of the shop and watch. Music pounds from the club, smoke rolling out from the opened door as if the gates of Hell are on fire. It sounds like a good time, I just get too anxious when I’m surrounded by so many people. I feel like I can’t breathe, and I’m constantly nervous that something is going to happen and we won’t hear it. Like bullets hitting the club.
I know Zane is in there though. I can feel it. My brows suddenly pinch together, angry I keep thinking of him. We’re just friends. We can’t be anything more. He made that clear. Why can’t I move on?
A big drunk burly man stumbles my way, trying to wave at someone behind me. Looking over my shoulder to see who he's yelling at, he suddenly knocks into me and cold beer runs down my dress. I gasp, and the man freezes in a stupor as he stares at the liquid dripping off me. Bobby hits his head on the hood of my Jeep trying to lift his head and see what the fuss is about.
“What happened what’s wrong?” Saint is by my side in seconds but it doesn't take him long to figure out what happened with my back hunched over and my dropped jaw, my chest drenched. Suds tickle my breast, and my fingers drip with drops of smelly beer.
“You fucking idiot!” Bobby grabs the guy by the shirt, his teeth gritting with anger. “Get the fuck out of here!” Bobby shoves the guy and kicks him in the ass to get a move on. He turns back to me, resting his hands on my shoulders.
“Shit, you okay?” he asks.
“Yeah, just surprised me is all.” I fling my fingers free of droplets.
"Go inside and clean up, your battery is shit and I'm swapping it out. I'll be done by the time you get out." He juts his head to the clubhouse, and I glance in its direction like it’s a haunted house.
I really don’t want to go in there, but I don’t want my Jeep soaked with cheap beer either. Plus, what if I get pulled over?
“Come on, I’ll take you.” Saint’s charismatic voice wraps around me. His soothing brown eyes telling me he will protect me.
“Thank you.” I mask a smile and follow him through the rowdy crowd. Everyone nearly throws themselves out of the way as he walks forward. It’s the leather cut, the patch of a skull being crushed labeling him as one of the Devils. It’s crazy how much respect it has.
Once inside the club the music is so loud, I can feel the bass pumping in my chest. Girls are making out on the bar for attention, people are doing drugs without a care of what tomorrow brings, and it’s all so hard to look away from. It’s like a whole other world in here. It always has been.
People bump into me, and girls scream as a naked man playfully chases them with a whip.
Instantly the hairs on the back of my neck stand, and my feet stop moving as an energy latches on to me like a heavy weight. Saint disappears into the crowd without me and I turn on my heel to inspect what has me off. My eyes shoot through the crowd as if I’m drawn to something uncontrollably and land on Zane sitting on a couch. He’s leaning forward with his arms hanging over his knees, and his eyes hooked right onto me. A joint dangles from his mouth and girls sit on the back of the couch behind him as if he’s a Greek god. He owns the room without even trying. His presence drawing in every female within miles, even I want to sit at the foot of his throne and stare into mystical eyes that tell the tales of the underworld. The way he makes me feel so small in such a big crowd makes me feel small in comparison.
This is what I’m talking about. This tense connection with just a silent stare is what makes me feel something for Zane. We’ve never discussed it though. Does he still feel this?
“Shit, there you are!” Saint hollers in my ear making me jolt with surprise. Zane takes the joint from his mouth, smoke bellowing from his nose. A tense energy washing across his thick tattooed frame. I glance at Saint and realize Zane must be jealous of him being so close to me.
Wanting to test that theory, I smile and rest my hand on Saint’s shoulder. He’s hard to the touch but does nothing for me from the simple contact.
"Oh hey! Yeah, the crowd just kind of took me over!" I bat my lashes at him and put on the kind of a smile that Piper would charm a guy with. Pouty lips, just barely parted, and slight nibble to the bottom lip.
He laughs, his tongue licking his bottom lip like he might be interested.
“You good?” His eyes lower to mine.
“Yeah, can you show me the bathroom?” I know where it is, but why not make Zane think Saint is taking me there?
Saint’s eyes light up and he nods. Turning around, he grabs my hand and leads me down the hall to the bathroom. His fingers are soft, but his palm rough.
Just as my free hand hits the knob a boot darts in front of the door blocking me from entering.
"Your pops done warned everyone to stay away from you, so don't be trying to play mind games with me. This club is the only thing I got going for me."
My eyes widen, surprised that Saint is pointing out my bullshit, and standing up for himself. He has balls.
Smirking, I open the door and shut it.
I hate leading him on, but I'm sure he's done his fair share of tormenting girls. Besides, I doubt Zane will do anything. He's a mute when it comes to his emotions.
* * *
Looking in the mirror the whole front of my dress is stained a yellowish color.
“Gross.”
Grasping paper towels by the handful, I try and soak up the suds. My tits are sticky, and the smell is overwhelming. I like beer, don't get me wrong. Just not wearing it.
Swiping a towel in between my breasts, I huff and toss it on the counter. It’s hopeless. I need to go home and shower.
Needing to pee, I shimmy down my panties and use the restroom. Resting my chin on my hand, I look at the greasy tiles on the floor as I go. I wo
nder if the old ladies have to mop in here or if the prospects do? I bet it’s prospects.
The bathroom door is suddenly slammed open and a bunch of drunk girls barrel in.
“Someone’s in here!” I stand quickly and pull up my panties, forgetting to wipe.
A short woman with brown ringlets down her back stare daggers into me. Her makeup dark, matching not only her soul but her leather blouse tied so tight her breasts are spilling out.
That when it hits me. It’s fucking Baby.
Time has not been kind to her. You can tell she has partied way too much. The life of the club not agreeing with her.
“Why are you here?” Her sharp brows narrow in on me.
Wrinkles form across my forehead at the disbelief this woman has.
"As far as I know, I'm part of the club. What about you?" I rebuttal. One of the girls behind her gasps and Baby's nostrils flare. She’s not the club’s, not even close. She may be with Zane, but he’ll never make her an Ol’ Lady. That I know.
“Get your ass out of this bathroom, and out of this club,” she threatens.
Lifting my chin, I step up to her.
"Or what, Baby?" I don't back down. I might not be a badass like her or wear leather to the point I look like I'm ready for a BDSM orgy, but I won't let her run me out of here. Not again. Not this time.
"Are you really wanting to go there?" One of the girls who have no idea what this is even about asks from behind Baby. I can’t take them all on, in fact, I doubt I can take on even one. I need to get out of this club.
"Move," I warn Baby, but she doesn't budge.
Done with the crap, I push my way through the girls and I’m suddenly thrown into a hustle. A fist to my cheek thrusting me into the bathroom door.
My face warms, pulses, and I suddenly see red. I’ve never been hit before. Anger rips up my spine, and I suddenly want to give Baby everything I have.
Hand curled into a fist, I throw it at Baby, not caring if she was the one to hit me or not. My elbow hits one of the girls in the nose as I strike Baby right in the mouth. My fist skidding across her teeth like a rock skipping across water.